Page 96 of Lime Tree Hill

Mitch chuckled. “Yeah, me too. Maybe Norman had a few clues after all.”

“Say hi to her from me.”

As Mitch strolled out of his office, still on the phone, he noticed Tayla heading for the bedroom. “Hey, I have to go. Talk soon.”

“Hi.” Mitch followed her into their room. “You’re home already?”

The overheard words of his phone conversation screaming in her head, Tayla turned to look at him. Who had he been talking to? CeCe? Telling CeCe that she’d be out of his hair soon? Or Prue? And why say he’d change the locks when he never locked the damn doors anyway?

She swallowed hard and looked away. “I had a headache…so I finished early.”

“Shall I get you some paracetamol?” He stepped forward and reached out to brush a lock of hair off her face.

“Thanks, but I had a couple at work.”

“I’ve just been talking to Luka. He said to say hi.”

Of course, Luka.“How is he?” Tayla liked Luka, but betrayal comes in many forms, and Luka would always be Mitch’s friend, not hers. Even so, she would miss the friendships she’d made while living at Lime Tree Hill when it was time to move on. Those people in his circle—friends, family, the workers in the packing shed, and Ned and his darling wife.

“He’s good. Are you sure you’re okay?” He held her at arm’s length so he could take a better look. “You’re a little pale.”

Pause, Tayla. Pause.

“I’ll be fine. I might lie down for a bit.”

He kissed her on the forehead, his scent reminding her of that night in the back of the Hilux at Petrie Bay. Her ‘necking in the back seat’ experience.

“Okay. I need to check an irrigation pump. I’ll be half an hour at most. Don’t worry about dinner. I’ll cook.”

Tayla lay on top of the covers and watched him leave, a tight ball of emotion grabbing her throat in a stranglehold. Had she missed the clues? Wanted their marriage to work so badly that she succumbed to false hope instead of facing cold hard facts?

Now she had to spend the next twenty-four hours pretending, then wait for the inevitable call from his lawyer as she played her part in their marriage lie. And what was there to sort out? Everything had been watertight from the beginning. She had no right to anything of his, especially not his stone-cold heart. Had she been no more than a convenience to him?

He’d played his part well—the caring husband with the good-guy persona and drool-worthy body. Her heart wide open, she’d lived in his home and slept in his bed, willingly giving him what he wanted—where and when he wanted it. But now, Mitch was counting down the days.Year from hell!

The door opened and Tayla stirred. She hadn’t meant to doze off, but as she’d pulled the quilt around her, she couldn’t stay awake. Staying awake meant rehashing Mitch’s conversation with Luka. There’d be plenty of time for that next week while he hiked the Milford Track with ‘the boys.’

He climbed in behind her and held her close as he peppered kisses down her neck and across her shoulder blades. She stiffened and closed her eyes again. The brush of his lips and his warmth was the best feeling ever.

“Are you ready to eat?” Mitch asked.

“What time is it?”

“Six thirty. I’ve made chili.”

“Okay. I’ll get up.” She stretched forward but didn’t make eye contact.

He pulled her back into his arms.“Not just yet. We’ve hardly had any time together lately. And I’m away tomorrow. Tell me about your day.”

“Nothing much to tell. It was frantic, as usual. But I’m not sure if they’ll have many hours for me after Christmas, though.”

“Would you consider going into private practice?” Mitch moved his hand to the back of her neck, his touch soft and reassuring as he traced his fingers in lazy circles.

“Maybe, but I’m not making any major decisions at the moment.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s wise.” He rose from the bed. “Right, let’s eat. I still haven’t finished my packing.”

They ate dinner in uncomfortable silence. She didn’t trust herself to speak. What was the point in confronting him about Prue? Or his phone call with Luka? Making a scene would only add to her humiliation. As he’d said, he wasn’t her keeper, and she wasn’t his.

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